Canon POWERSHOT A590 Manual

ENGLISH

	DIGITAL		Camera User Guide
	CAMERA		Y
P
O
C

Guide User Camera

Getting Started p. 9

Ensure that you read the Safety Precautions (pp. 165 – 172).

CDI-E354-010	© CANON INC. 2008	PRINTED IN MALAYSIA

Confirming the Package Contents

The following items are included in the package. If something is missing please contact the retail outlet at which you purchased the product.

aCamera	bAA-size Alkaline	cMemory Card
	Batteries (×2)	(32 MB)

dInterface Cable	eAV Cable			fWrist Strap
IFC-400PCU	AVC-DC300			WS-800

gCanon Digital			Y
			hWarranty Card
Camera Solution			P
Disk
		O
iUser Guides
	C
•	Camera User Guide (this guide)

•Direct Print User Guide (Connecting the camera to a printer)

•Software Starter Guide

(Connecting the camera to a computer)

•“Canon Customer Support” Leaflet

See the PDF manuals available on the Canon website. http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/information-e.html

• ZoomBrowser EX/ImageBrowser Software User Guide

You may not be able to achieve the full performance of this camera with the included memory card.

Let’s Get Started! 1

Let’s Get Started!

This guide is divided into the following two sections.

First...
Getting Started	p. 9

This section explains how to prepare the camera for use and the basics of shooting, viewing and printing images. Start out by familiarizing yourself with the camera and mastering the basics.

Next...

Y P O C

Learning More

p. 39

Once you have mastered the basics, use the camera’s many features to shoot more challenging photos. Details on using each function are described in this section, including how to connect the camera to a television to view images.

2	Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Items marked with a are lists or charts that summarize camera functions or procedures.

Please Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Preparations	. . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	10
Shooting Still Images ( Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			15
Viewing Still Images .		. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	18
Erasing. . . . .	. . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	19
Printing . . . .	. . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	20
		Y
Embedding the Date in the Image Data . . . . . . . . . . .			22
Shooting Movies (		Standard Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	24
Viewing Movies . . . . .		. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	26
	O
Downloading Images to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . .			27
System Map.	. . . . . . .	P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	34
C
Learning More .	. . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	39
Components Guide			40
Indicators . . .	. . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	43
Basic Operations			44

Menus and Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Information Displayed on the LCD Monitor and Menus . . . 46 Using the LCD Monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Commonly Used Shooting Functions

56

Using the Optical Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Using the Digital Zoom/ Digital Tele-Converter . . . . . . . . . 56 Using the Flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Shooting Close-ups (Macro) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Using the Self-Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Changing the Recording Pixels (Still Images) . . . . . . . . . . 64

Table of Contents	3
Changing the Compression (Still Images) . . . . . . . . . . . . .	65
Setting the Image Stabilizer Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	66
Adjusting the ISO Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	68
Shooting Using the Mode Dial	69

Mode Dial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Shooting Modes for Specific Scenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Program AE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Setting the Shutter Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Setting the Aperture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Manually Setting the Shutter Speed and Aperture . . . 78 Movie Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Advanced Shooting Functions			84
		Y
Continuous Shooting . . . .	. . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	84
Setting the Flash . . . . . . .	. . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	86
Checking the Focus and	eoples’ Expressions. . . . . . . . .		88
Selecting an AF Frame Mode		. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	92
Selecting a Subject toPFocus On
(Face Select and Track)	. . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	94
Shooting HardO-to-Focus Subjects
(Focus Lock, Manual Focus, Safety MF) . . . . . . . . . . . .			96
AdjustingCthe Exposure Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . .			99
Switching between Metering Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			100
Adjusting the Tone (White Balance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			101
Shooting in a My Colors Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			104
Setting the Display Overlays .		. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	106
Categorizing Images Automatically (Auto Category) . . . .			107
Registering Settings to the		Button . . . . . . . . . . . .	108
Playback/Erasing			110

Viewing Magnified Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Viewing Images in Sets of Nine (Index Playback) . . . 111 Check the Focus and Facial Expressions of Subjects

(Focus Check Display) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Jumping to Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Organizing Images by Category (My Category). . . . . . . . 116

4	Table of Contents

Viewing Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Rotating Images in the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Playback with Transition Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Automated Playback (Slide Shows). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Red-Eye Correction Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Changing the Recording Pixel (Resize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Attaching Sound Memos to Images. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Protecting Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Erasing All Images. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Print Settings/Transfer Settings		133
Setting the DPOF Print Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		133
Setting the DPOF Transfer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		137
	Y
Configuring the Camera		139
Power Saving Function . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	139
Formatting Memory Cards . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	141
Resetting the File Number . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	142
Creating an Image DestinationP(Folder). . . . . . . . . . . . . .		144
C
Setting the Auto Rotate Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		146
Resetting SettingsOto Their Default Values . . . . . . . . . . .		147
Connecting to a TV		148
Shooting/Playback Using a TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		148
Troubleshooting		150
List of Messages		161
Appendix		165

Safety Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Preventing Malfunctions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Using the Power Kits (Sold Separately). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Using the Lenses (Sold Separately) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

Using an Externally Mounted Flash (Sold Separately) . . 182

Replacing the Date Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Camera Care and Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Table of Contents		5
Index	197
Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode	206

About this Guide

Symbol Conventions in this Guide

60

Using the Flash

Mode switch position:

Shooting (

)/

Available Shooting Modes

p. 206

Playback (

)

1

Press the button.

Some functions may not be

available in certain shooting modes.

If there is no notation to that effect, the function may be used in all modes.

Y

P

: This mark denotes issues that may affect the camera’s

operation.

O

: This mark denotes additional topics that complement the basic

operating procedures.

C

Explanations in this guide are based on the camera’s default settings at time of purchase.

Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. As a result, the illustrations and screenshots used in this guide may differ from the actual camera.

You can use SD memory cards, SDHC (SD High Capacity) memory cards, MultiMediaCards, MMCplus cards and HC MMCplus cards in

this camera. These memory cards are collectively referred to as memory cards in this guide.

6 Please Read

Please Read

Test Shots

Before you try to photograph important subjects, we highly recommend that you shoot several trial images to confirm that the camera is operating and being operated correctly.

Please note that Canon Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and its distributors are not liable for any consequential damages arising from any malfunction of a camera or accessory, including memory cards, that results in the failure of an image to be recorded or to be recorded in a way that is machine readable.

Warning Against Copyright Infringement

Please note that Canon digital cameras are intended for personal use and should never be used in a mannerYthat infringes upon or contravenes international or domesticPcopyright laws and regulations. Please be advised that in certain cases the copying of images from performances, exhibitions,Oor commercial properties by means of a camera or other device may contravene copyright or other legal rights even if the imageCwas shot for personal use.

Warranty Limitations

This camera’s warranty is only effective in the country of sale. If a problem arises while the camera is in use abroad, please convey it back to the country of sale before proceeding with a warranty claim to a Canon Customer Support Help Desk.

For Canon Customer Support contacts, please see the customer support list supplied with your camera.

Video Format

Please Read 7

Camera Body Temperature

If your camera is used for prolonged periods, the camera body may become warm. Please be aware of this and take care when operating the camera for an extended period.

About the LCD Monitor

The LCD monitor is produced with extremely high-precision manufacturing techniques. More than 99.99% of the pixels operate to specification. Less than 0.01% of the pixels may occasionally misfire or appear as red or black dots. This has no effect on the recorded image and does not constitute a

malfunction. Y Please set the camera’s videoPsignal format to the one used in your

region before using itOwith a TV monitor (p. 148).

LanguageCSetting

Please see Setting the Display Language (p. 14) to change the language setting.

8

Y P O C

9

Getting StartedY P O zPreparationsC

zShooting Still Images

zViewing Still Images zErasing

zPrinting

zEmbedding the Date in the Image Data zShooting Movies

zViewing Movies

zDownloading Images to a Computer zSystem Map

Slide

the cover (b).

Getting Started

10 Preparations

Preparations

Installing the batteries

1.Slide the battery cover lock (a) and hold it open while sliding the cover (b) and opening it (c).

Battery Cover Lock

a

b

Open the cover (c).

c

	Y
P
O
2. Install two batteries.
CPositive end (+)	Negative end (–)

Insert the two supplied AA-size alkaline batteries.

Preparations 11

3. Insert the memory card until it clicks into place.

	Front	Write Protect Tab
		(Only SD and SDHC memory cards)

Started Getting

• Confirm that the write protect tab is unlocked (only SD and SDHC memory cards).

• Check the card for the correct

orientation.Y

4. Close the cover (d), andPpress downward as you slide

it until it clicks into place (e). O C d

e

Ensure that the memory card is correctly oriented before inserting it in the camera. Inserting it backward may cause the camera to fail to recognize the memory card or to malfunction.

Getting Started

12 Preparations

To Remove the Batteries

Open the cover and remove the batteries.

Take care that you do not drop the batteries.

To Remove the Memory Card
	P
Use a finger to push the memory cardYin until you hear a click, then
release it.	O
	C

Use the wrist strap to avoid dropping the camera during use.

Preparations 13

Setting the Date and Time

The Date/Time settings menu will appear the first time the power is turned on.

			Power Button
			Button
	Buttons		Button
1. Press the power button.
			P
2. Select the month, day, year andY
		O
time, and the display order.
1.	Use the	or	button to select
	C
	an option.
2.	Use the	or	button to set the
	value.
3. Press the		button.

To Change a Previously Set Date/Time

Use the following procedures to display the Date/Time settings window, and then perform Steps 2 and 3 above.

1. Press the button.

2. Use the or button to select the (Set up) menu.

3. Use the or button to select [Date/Time].

4. Press the button.

Started Getting

Getting Started

14 Preparations

The date/time setting screen will appear when the capacity of the lithium date/time battery is depleted (p. 184).

Setting the Display Language

You can change the language displayed in the LCD monitor menus and messages.

				Mode Switch
			Y	Button
	Buttons			Button
		P
	O
	1. Set the mode switch to		(playback).
	C			button.
	2. Hold down the	button and press the
	3. Use the or	button to select a language.

4. Press the button.

Shooting Still Images 15

Shooting Still Images (Mode)

Power Button

Shutter Button

Mode Switch

Indicators

Mode Dial

Button

1.Press the power button. Y

•The start-up sound will playPand the start-up image will display in the LCD monitor.

•Pressing the powerObutton again turns the power off.

2.Select a shooting mode.

1. Set theCmode switch to

(shooting).

2. Set the shooting mode dial to

.

3.Aim the camera at the subject.

Avoiding Camera Shake

Keep your arms tight against your body while holding the camera firmly by the sides. Using a tripod is also effective.

4.Press the shutter button lightly (halfway) to focus.

• When the camera focuses, it beeps twice and the indicator lights.

Started Getting

		16 Shooting Still Images
	Started	5. Press the shutter button fully (all the way) to shoot.
		• The shutter sound will play once and the image will record.
		• Recorded images are displayed on the LCD monitor for
	Getting	approximately 2 seconds immediately after shooting (Rec.
		Review). You can shoot by pressing the shutter button even
		when an image is being displayed.
		• If you hold the shutter button down after a shot, the image will
		continue to display.
		• The indicator will blink green and the file will record to the
		memory card.
		To Shoot Images in Focus
		The camera automatically sets the focus when you press the shutter
		button halfway*.
		* The shutter button has a two-stage action. Pressing it down to the first stage is
		referred as “pressing halfway”.		Y Incorrect
			Correct
		Press halfway to	O		Just pressing
			Beep,	ress fully
		set the focus	beep…	P fully
		Shooting Preparations
		Complete: Clights green		Recording:
		(orange when the flash will fire)		blinks green

AF Frame

An AF frame will display in green on the LCD monitor at the point of focus.

Mute Setting

When you hold down the DISP. button while turning on the camera, the mute setting will be set to [On]. You can change the setting in [Mute] in the Set up menu (p. 52).

Shooting Still Images 17

Shooting in Easy Mode

This camera features a shooting mode, Easy mode, that automatically selects all camera settings except the flash. This mode is ideal for first time camera users, or users who do not make many settings. You can select whether or not to use the flash with the button, allowing you to take images even where flash photography is prohibited.

1. Set the mode dial to (Easy mode).

Y P O 2. Aim theCcamera at the subject.

3. Press the shutter button halfway to focus.

4. Press the shutter button fully to shoot.

No settings, other than flash settings, can be made in Easy mode. Even if you press the MENU or FUNC./SET button, no menu will display.

Started Getting

1. Press the power button.

Viewing Still Images

Buttons

18 Viewing Still Images

Getting Started

Power Button

Mode Switch

2. Set the mode switch to		(playback).
3. Use the		Y
	or button to display the image you wish
to view.	P
• Use the	button to move to the
previous image Oand the button to
move to the next image.
C

• The images advance more quickly if you keep the button pressed, but they will appear coarse.

z In the menu, you can set [Resume] to either [Last seen]* or [Last shot] (p. 51). (* Default setting)

zIf you select [Last seen], the last image viewed will display (Resume Playback).

zThe following actions will display the most recent image regardless of the [Resume] settings.

Shooting an image, changing the memory card, or editing an

image on the memory card using a computer.

Erasing 19

Erasing

Mode Switch

Button

Buttons

Button

1.Set the mode switch to (playback).

2.Use the or button to selectYan image to erase and press the button. P

3.Confirm that [Erase]Ois selected and press the button.

To exit insteadCof erasing, select [Cancel].

Started Getting

Please note that erased images cannot be recovered. Exercise adequate caution before erasing an image.

Getting Started

20 Printing

Printing

Terminal Cover

Mode Switch

Button

DIGITAL Terminal
	Y	Buttons
	P
	O
1. Connect the camera to a direct print compatible printer.
• Open the terminal cover and plug the interface cable in all the
way.	C

• See the printer’s user guide for connection instructions.

• Since this camera uses a standard protocol (PictBridge), you can use it with other PictBridge-compliant printers in addition to Canon-brand printers.

For detail, see the Direct Print User Guide.

2. Turn on the printer.

3. Set the mode switch to (playback) and press the power button.

• The button will light blue.

4. Use the	or button to select an image to print and
press the	button.

• The button will blink blue and printing will start.

Printing 21

Printing from a Print List

You can add images directly to a print list by merely pressing the

button immediately after shooting or playing back an image. You can then print the images from the print list easily, when connecting the camera to a printer.

Add to the Print List

1. Press the button (still images only). 2. Add to the print list.

1. Use the or button to select the number of print copies.

2.	Use the	or	button to select
	[Add].
3.	Press the		button.

• To remove an image from the print
list, press the		button again,Yuse the or button to
select [Remove] and press the FUNC./SET button.
		P
Printing Images in a Print List
This explanation is basedOon the use of a Canon SELPHY ES series
or SELPHY P series printer.
	C
1. Connect the camera to the printer.
2. Print the image.
1.	Use the or	button to select Number of copies to print
	[Print now].
	• You can use the or button
	to confirm the images added to
	the print list.
2.	Press the	button.

• Printing will start.

• If printing is halted and resumed,

printing will start from the next image in the queue.

Started Getting

Getting Started

22 Embedding the Date in the Image Data

Embedding the Date in the Image Data

This section explains how to embed date information on images as they are recorded (Date Stamp).

•The date stamp cannot be deleted from the image data once it has been embedded. Ensure that the camera’s date/time is set correctly beforehand (p. 13).

•The image size is fixed to the 2M (1600 × 1200) setting and the compression to Fine (appropriate for printing L-size or postcard-size prints.)

			Y
		P
	O			Mode Dial
C				Mode Switch
Buttons				Button
				Button

1.Press the power button.

2.Select a shooting mode.

1.Set the mode switch to (shooting).

2.Set the mode dial to .

•You can also make this setting in other shooting modes (except Easy and movie modes).

Embedding the Date in the Image Data 23

3.Select (Date Stamp).

1.Press the button.

2.Use the or button to select

.

3. Use the or to select .

• The area that will not print displays in gray.

• Press the button to switch to [Date & Time] with the or button.

You can use the following methods to imprint the date on images

•Set with the camera’s Digital Print OrderYFormat (DPOF) function. Set [Date] option to [On] in [Print Settings] in the (Print) menu.

•Connect the camera to a printer and imprint the date. See the Direct PrintOUser Guide.

•Insert a memory card into the printer and imprint the date. See your printerCuser guide.

•Use the supplied software. See the Software Starter Guide.lacking imprinted date stamps.

Started Getting

Getting Started

24 Shooting Movies

Shooting Movies ( Standard Mode)

Power Button

Shutter Button

Mode Switch

Mode Dial

Indicators	Buttons

1.Press the power button.P

2.Select a shootingOmode.

1.Set theCmode switch to

(shooting).

2.Set the mode dial to (Movie).

3.Use the or button to selectY

(Standard).

3. Aim the camera at the subject.

z Do not touch the microphone while	Microphone
recording.

z Do not press any buttons other than the shutter button. The sound that buttons make will be recorded in the movie.

Recording: blinks green

4.Press the shutter button halfway to focus.

•When the camera focuses, it beeps twice and the indicator lights green.

•The exposure, focus and white balance are automatically set.

5.Press the shutter button fully to shoot.

•Press the shutter button fully to shoot.

Shooting Movies 25

Shooting Preparations Complete: lights green

Started Getting

• During the recording, the elapsed
recording time and [zRec.] will	Y
display in the LCD monitor.
P
O		Elapsed Time
C
6. Press the shutter button fully

again to stop recording.

• The indicator will blink green and the data will be recorded onto the memory card.

• Recording will stop automatically when the maximum recording time

elapses, or the built-in memory or memory card become full.

Getting Started

26 Viewing Movies

Viewing Movies

Power Button

Mode Switch

Button

Buttons

1.Press the power button.

2.Set the mode switch to (playback)Y.

3.Use the or buttonPto display a movie and press the button.O

• ImagesCwith a icon are movies.

4. Use the or button to select (Play) and press the button.

•The movie will start playing.

•If you press the FUNC./SET button during playback, you can pause and restart the movie.

•You can adjust the playback volume

with the

or

button.

Downloading Images to a Computer 27

Downloading Images to a Computer

We recommend to use the supplied software.

Items to Prepare

•Camera and computer

•Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk supplied with the camera

•Interface cable supplied with the camera

System Requirements

Please install the software on a computer meeting the following minimum requirements.

Windows				Y
OS		Windows Vista	P
		Windows XP Service		ack 2
		Windows 2000 Service		ack 4
Computer Model		O
		The above S should be pre-installed on computers with built-
		in USB ports.
CPU		Windows Vista			: Pentium 1.3 GHz or higher
		Windows XP / Windows 2000			: Pentium 500 MHz or higher
RAM		Windows Vista			: 512 MB or more
		Windows XP / Windows 2000			: 256 MB or more
	C
Interface	USB
Free Hard Disk		• Canon Utilities
Space		- ZoomBrowser EX			: 200 MB or more
		- PhotoStitch			: 40 MB or more
		• Canon Camera TWAIN Driver			: 25 MB or more
Display		1,024 × 768 pixels/High Color (16 bit) or better
Macintosh
OS		Mac OS X (v10.3 – v10.4)

Computer Model The above OS should be pre-installed on computers with builtin USB ports.

CPU	PowerPC G3/G4/G5 or Intel Processor
RAM	RAM 256 MB or more
Interface	USB
Free Hard Disk	• Canon Utilities
Space	- ImageBrowser	: 300MB or more
	- PhotoStitch	: 50 MB or more
Display	1,024 × 768 pixels/ 32,000 Colors or better

Started Getting

Getting Started

28 Downloading Images to a Computer

Preparing to Download Images

With Windows 2000, ensure that you install the software first before connecting the camera to the computer.

1. Installing the software.

Windows

1.Place the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk in the computer’s CD-ROM drive.

2.Click [Easy Installation].

Follow the onscreen messages to proceed with the installation.

Y P 3. Click [Restart]Oor [Finish] once the

installation is complete.

WhenCthe installation is finished,

[Restart] or [Finish] will display. Click the button that appears.

4. Remove the CD-ROM from the

drive when your normal desktop screen appears.

Macintosh

Double-click the icon in the CDROM window. When the installer panel appears, click [Install]. Follow the onscreen instructions to proceed.